Happy New Year

 It has been a year(or two?!)!!! Praying you have a beautiful start to the new year, and are able to prioritize creative pursuits throughout 2022!! Thank you for joining me here at Art With Mr.E...and on my social media!! 

WAYNE THIEBAUD: A Life Well Lived

I was so sad to hear about the recent passing of Wayne Thiebaud. (Dec 25, 2021..at 101yrs old).  What and amazing legacy he left in the art world.  This post is originally from May 2014 as part of my Mr.E Asks 3 series.  I thought we'd revisit this post as a way to honor this wonderful human & gift to the art world!  May we remember his "sweet" impact on the art world! 

WAYNE THIEBAUD

When I started thinking about people I'd like to interview...Mr. Thiebaud was at the top of my list!!  Though I really enjoy his older pieces...pies, cakes, candies, and such....I LOVE his landscape paintings!   He is a living legend!!!!

 

However...I figured I'd probably not get a response.

Here was the first reply.

 

"Mr. Thiebaud does not use a computer. However, I can relay the questions to him. There is no guarantee that he will respond. He is inundated with requests on a daily basis. At the age of 93 (94 in November), he does not "work" too much on tasks outside of those in his own studio and at his home. But, it is worth a shot."

 

BUT HE DID!! HE DID RESPOND!!!

I hope you enjoy the mini-interview with Mr. Wayne Thiebaud.  Oh..and I know it is Mr. E Asks 3, but I couldn't stop with just 3! ha ha ha 

1) Did you have art classes in elementary, middle, and/or high school? If so, how much of an impact did it have on you?

" I do recall several "art" classes in elementary schools in southern California. Mostly very general drawing projects and classroom group mural works.  High school provided more specific opportunities. Classes in drawing and watercolor taught by a woman who had been instructed by an experienced person   Long Beach Polytechnic High School housed a major auditorium attended by the civic public for “major” events. The stage manager and technician instructed us in the designing and building and painting of sets in a professional manner."

 

2) What was your family/friends response to your desire to be an artist?

 

 " Very Supportive."

3) What words of encouragement/inspiration do you have for those desiring to pursue a life of art?

"Obtain as much professional formal instruction as possible and work very hard."

 

 

4) What is your motivation to continue creating art?

 

"Love of and long looking at fine works of art."

Non-objective Art

It is 3 am, and I'm in the garage painting something my wife wanted me to create for our home. I usually do not do non-objective art work. It is much more challenging than I had anticipated! You become hyper sensitive to balance & contrast...well, at least that is what I'm experiencing!  Are you challenging yourself to step outside your norm? 

ROLL-A-SNOWPERSON

 So I have 2 odd days before the end of the semester.  I thought I'd try ROLL-A-SNOWPERSON for all my classes on these days.  It has been LOUD....but fun! ha ha 

I purchased a class set of foam dice at Dollar Tree (all in my favorite...GREEN!).  I placed the foam dice in tumbler cups I have(used them for individual supplies last year when we came back with restrictions). This prevents them from rolling all over the room, and seems to keep them from stabbing them with their pencils.  They roll the dice each time to select from the snowperson chart! 

These are some of my teacher examples! ha ha  I was having fun with them!

I made a large chart from butcher paper.  My overhead is not the brightest, and when the lights are on it makes it challenging to see what is being projected. It only took me 10 minutes to create the large chart. It is about 4 ft by 4 ft.

Sargent Art Fluorescent & Metallic Oil Pastels

Do you all use Fluorescent & Metallic Oil Pastels in your classroom? I purchased the Sargent Art brand version of these oil pastels.   Here are swatches of a few of the Fluorescent & all the Metallic(6 colors).

The Fluorescent works wonderfully on white/light paper, but I do not recommend it for dark.  The Metallic works well on both, but really pops on the black!  There are a ton of fun projects you can use these on.  I did not get a class set worth, but have enough to make "stations" for students to use on certain projects.   Would love to hear how you use these materials in your art room! 

Art With Mr. E: The Pod Cast

I've been toying around with the idea of starting a pod cast for awhile.  I'm not sure if it is the right medium for me or not?  So...I thought I'd try it & see.  If it doesn't feel right....then I'll just not do any more.  I've created one so far dealing with Self Care. This is geared for teachers mostly, but whoever wants to listen is fine.

Art With Mr. E: The Pod Cast

Artist Self Care

 Self-care looks different for everybody. Sometimes I forget that this simple act of painting helps heal/clear my artist soul. We get so busy. We think we don't have time for a grandiose work. We don't have time to invest in a piece that will change minds, ignite fires within, or challenge social issues. You know what. We don't have to do that all the time. "Good Art" meets the needs of the artist before it can ever touch the heart of the viewers. If it is just a sketch, a small painting, a clay pot...whatever you do....do it! If it leads to something FABULOUS...awesome. If it meets you where you are at....that is most important!

School has been a challenge this year(past couple years), and I needed some "therapy". Made these little cards last night...and it felt good!!

What does self care look like for you?

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: BUSY

I have so many paintings I want to create.   I have so many supplies I want to put to use.  I have so many other projects I want to get started. I have family responsibilities.  I have work responsibilities. I have other things that need my attention. It is easy to become so busy that you get absolutely nothing done. It isn't bad to be busy, but when it overwhelms us to the point that we become ineffective or distracted.....something must change. Priorities are important for finding balance in our artistic journey (and life).  Sometimes it is as simple as putting away our phones or turning off our TVs.  Sometimes it involves staying up later or getting up earlier(which requires discipline).  An artist gotta art! (ha ha)  What changes do you need to make so your priorities are reflected in how you live your life?

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named. Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42

Martha was busy.  So many things she wanted to accomplish. This busyness became a "distraction". We give her a lot of grief for the choices she made in this section of scripture.  However, I think we often end up doing similar things in our own life. We prioritize things that often distract us what is truly important in our families, relationships(friends), and churches.  We may be accepting the expectations of others or what we perceive as the expectation of others. The holidays really bring out this in many of us.  We don't have to have the perfect Christmas outfit, holiday party, church program, or the perfect gifts under the tree.  We need to keep the Lord at the center of all that we do, and make sure the things we busy ourselves with glorify him, help us to know him, and use our gifts & talents to serve him.  

More Kindergarten Snow People

I just can't get enough of the kindergarten snow people! I hope you are enjoying them too! 

Collage Bodies & Construction Paper Details

Kindergarten Snow People

 I love my kindergarteners! They have grown so much already this year. We've been working on cutting & gluing skills a good bit.  I think their snow people turned out absolutely adorable!

Winter Bulletin Board 2021

At the bottom of this post you will see a variety of winter boards I have done.  It is not all of them, but a cross section of a variety I've done with my students.  However, I was kind of over the villages, snowmen, and such.  This year I wanted to do something different.  Something I've never done before.  I decided to go for an icy feel, but used flowers as the theme.  I'm also still trying to build some skills that were not covered/not reinforced due to many of our student(200+) being virtual for a year and a half. Cutting and gluing really suffered!  So I'm providing opportunities to work on some of the missed skills. I really love the way it turned out. 

Here are the boards from past years! The ones at the bottom were my first couple years doing them....I feel they've improved a great deal over time.  I've learned how to assign parts to different classes, and bring in a variety of ideas, techniques, and skill development.

I loved this board!  It had such a story book feel to it! 

I was tired of all the bright colors...and thought it would be fun to do black & white/gray tones.

This one was inspired by the Little White Owl (This was the first year I had read it to my students, and thought it would be super fun for a board! I think this was 2013)\

#turkeyaday21: Day 30

IT'S THE LAST DAY!!! 

#turkeyaday21: Day 29

 

Part of one of my fav shows as a kid!!! #turkeyaday21 Day 29!!!! #turkeyaday #artchallenge

#turkeyaday21: Day 28

 If you don't follow art YouTubers ...this turkey may not make a lot of sense. It represents one of my favorites, NerdECrafter!!!

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Safe

Art is often a safe place for people to retreat & find sanctuary. It is a place to "be".  The artist is able to find rest and restoration in the midst of creation.  Art can also be a safe(ish) place where one comes to define and defend their ideas and beliefs. It is a place to stand one's ground while pushing boundaries (and buttons!)  Art can be safety for comfort and confronting. It depends on the needs of the artist what that safety will bring.

 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."—Psalm 91:2

What does it mean for the Lord to be both a refuge and a fortress? God as our refuge is a safe place where one finds comfort from pursuit, danger, and the troubles of this world. God as our fortress allows us to face the world in the midst of the battles that rage in and around us.  It is not safety from the struggles, but safety in the midst of them. The key is..."in whom I trust".  To trust the Lord is to know him.  When we know him we experience his powerful love.  That personal relationship can be both a place to run to for refuge & a mighty fortress to face the battles of this world. I pray you feel safe in the Lord to be all he has called you to be. 

#turkeyaday21: Day 27

If you watched PBS Kids..you might know this turkey! 

#turkeyaday21: Day 26

 This turkey is a little "wacky".

#turkeyaday21: Day 25

Do you know this pet owner? 

 

#turkeyaday21: Day 24

 I loved this Cartoon Network show!!! 

#turkeyaday21: Day 23

Day 23 of #turkeyaday21  Do you know this iconic character of book & the small screen? #turkeyaday #artchallenge #novartchallenge 

 

#turkeyaday21: Day 22

 #turkeyaday21 is heart healthy & oh so sweet!!

Day 22

#turkeyaday21: Day 21

 Do you want this turkey to be part of your world?

#turkeyaday21: Day 20

 A friend of mine made a request for this turkey.  I don't usually take requests, but she has been going through a lot.  I thought if I could make her smile...then sure!! 

Do you know this turkey?

#turkeyaday21 : Day 19

This character was not part of the original group, but came along later!  As soon as I saw him, I purchased him for my classroom. 

 

Mondo Llama Brushes

 I’m not one to totally slam a brand. There are so many factors in every situation.  There are bad batches, factors in transportation (things being too hot, too cold, or getting bounced around in shipping), and operator error.  I will say I’ve liked Mondo Llama’s crayons, markers, and colored pencils (not my favorite...but I’d for sure recommended them to my students for at home use!).  

....HOWEVER....

I was given some gift cards to Target from someone in the community that likes to support the arts. I went on line and saw that Mondo Llama had brushes. I ordered about a class set worth. Within a week I regretted my decision. After a couple days of using them...their was a plastic like coating start bubbling up on the handle. A couple days later their were large areas of paint pealing off.   Now you might be thinking I left my brushes in water. No, I learned not to make that mistake over 20 years ago when I first started teaching.  There is just something up with these brushes. I terribly disappointed. The brush itself is nice, but the handles....not so much.  

#turkeyaday21: Day 18

When SNL was really funny! 

Winged Creatures in Collage

I gave the students a second day to work on their collage. After the first day they just felt unfinished, plus, I knew we were going to be taking our characters from the collage and turning them into main characters for a narrative drawing. I wanted the students to spend extra time with this so they felt more at ease creating a story to go with them.